Embroidering machine



EMBROIDER ING `MACHINE 3 sheets-sheet 1 Oct-2 4, 1967 K. HABERHAUER ETAL Filed July 19, 1965 m NTL EMBROIDERING MACHINE Filed July 19, 1965 s sheets-sheet 2 `06t- 24, 1967 K. HABERHAUER l-:TAL 3,348,506

EMBROIDERI NG MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 19, 15:)65

United States Patent Office Patented Oct. Z4, 1967 ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Embroidering machine having at least two needles inclined to each other and separately moveable along paths inclined to each other and which paths form an angle the apex of which is located in the region of the upper surface of a needle plate having a single hole through which the needles pass whereby the lines of stitching of the respective needles will be in alignment, and including clutch means for selectively actuating the needles.

The present invention relates to embroidering machines, especially for making multicolored embroidery patterns.

Twin needle sewing machines are known the needles of which may be alternately made effective. However, these machines are designed for producing ornamental seams or doing cording work, for instance for finishing corners properly. These machines cannot be employed for making multicolored embroidering patterns, since the two needles do not pass through a common needle hole in the needle plate which is, however, absolutely necessary for automatically controlled tambours since otherwise it is not possible with simple technical means to switch from one needle to the other without interfering with the proper course of the design or pattern or without disturbing the perfect match of the pattern.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an embroidering machine, especially for making multicolored embroidery patterns, which will overcome the drawbacks of heretofore known embroidering machines.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an embroidering machine as set forth in the preceding paragraph which will make it possible easily to switch from one needle to the other without interfering with the proper course of the pattern.

A still further object of the present invention consists in the provision of an embroidering machine in which one of the two needles may be threaded while the other is in operation.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more cearly from the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic showing of a longitudinal section through the embroidering machine according to the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross section through the machine according to FIGURE 1, taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 3 is a cross section taken along the line III- III -of FIGURE 1. y

FIGURE 4 illustrates a remote control device for use in connection with the present invention.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a rolling key clutch for use in connection with the embroidering machine according to the present invention.

FIGURE 6 is a section taken along the line VI-VI of FIGURE 5.

The embroidering machine according to the present invention is characterized primarily inV that the longitudinal aXes of the two alternately operable needles `or needle bars are arranged at an angle with regard to each other, the vertex of said angle being located in the v1c1n1ty of the needle plate.

According to a particularly advantageous arrangement, the crank discs for the two needle bars may alternately be made effective and ineffective and the presser bars of the machine are arranged in such a way that they may alternately be pivoted into and out of the working range of the machine. For purposes of making the crank discs effective and ineffective, rolling key clutches are provided between the drive means for the discs and the said discs and a control element is provided for each clutch which is under the control of a control means such as a tiltable switch lever which is tiltable by means such as a solenoid armature arrangement through the intervention of a pull rod, a lever and a control shaft.

The presser bars of the machine may be made effective and ineffective for instance by means of a presser bar switch provided with a roller and connected to and actuated by the above mentioned control shaft in such a way that the non-effective presser bar is tilted out of the Working range by said roller through the intervention of a control lever against the thrust of a tension spring. The control for the needles and for the presser bars is effected by the above mentioned common control shaft so that the operation of these two elements is synchronized.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and FIGS. 1 to 3 thereof in particular, the embroidering machine illustrated therein comprises a machine frame 3 having reciprocably mounted therein two needle bars 1 and 2 which are axially reciprocable in the direction of the arrows 4 and 5. In a manner known per se, needle bars 1, 2 have connected thereto embroidering needles 6, 7 respectively. The machine is furthermore provided with two crank discs 8, 9 carrying crank pins 10, 11 which through the intervention of connecting rods 12, 13 and pivots S3, 54 drive the needle `bars 1, 2. Crank discs 8, 9 are xedly mounted on shafts 62, 63.

The drive for the embroidering machine comprises a continuously rotating drive shaft 58 and a transmission with gears 16 through 19. Interposed between the shafts 62, 63 of the two crank discs 8, 9 and the transmission are two rolling key clutches 14 and 15 for driving one of the shafts 62 or 63 only at a time and thereby also one' only of the crank discs 8 or 9 at a time.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the rolling key clutch 15 in greater detail. It is to be understood that the rolling key clutch 14 is of identical design and, therefore, corresponding reference numerals of clutch 14 have been inserted in parenthesis in the following description. Roll ing key clutch 15 (14) is fiXedly mounted on shaft 63 (62) and comprises the rolling key 21 (20) provided with a substantially semi-cylindrical extension 21a and also with an actuating lever 25 (24) subjected to the force of a spring 23 (22). Shaft 63 (62) has rotatably mounted thereon gear 19 (18) provided with an eX- tension 61.

A lever 26 is connected to a control shaft 27 and carries an abutment 60 adapted to engage lever 25 (24). If abutment 60 is in engagement with lever 25, the key 21 is in the position shown in FIG. 3 in which the extension 61 of gear 19 passes by key 21 so that disc 9 is at a standstill. If, however, lever 26 is moved in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 3, lever 25 is released and key 21 is located within the path of movement of extension 61 whereby key 21 is taken along by gear 19, and disc 9 is rotated.

The embroidering machine according to the present invention is furthermore provided with two presser bars 30, 31 which are pivotal about axes 32, 33 and are slidably mounted in guiding means 34 and 35 which are slidable on the needle bars 1, 2. In a manner known per se, pressure springs 36, 37 are provided bearing between the upper end of guiding means 34, 35 and stationary regions of frame 3 for producing a working pressure on presser bars 30, 31 while further springs 38 and 39 positioned between the needle bar and the guide means serve for lifting off presser bars 30, 31 from the fabric to be embroidered when the pertaining needle bar is retracted. Presser bars 30, 31 are adapted to be swung out of effective position by a control lever 28 mounted on control shaft 27 and provided with a roller 29. Tension springs 40, 41 move the presser bars 30, 31 when they are not held by control lever 28 and roller 29, toward the respective needle bar 1 or 2 and, more specifically, to such an extent that the guiding means 42, 43 rest against the needle bars 1, 2.

FIG. 4 shows an electromagnetic remote control for use in connection with the present invention. This remote control comprises a solenoid 44 which in a manner known per se may be made effective and ineffective by hand or automatically, for instance by a step control mechanism which in turn receives its impulses from a punch card. If solenoid 44 is energized, it lifts an armature 45 and a pullrod 46 in the direction of the arrow 47 against the thrust of a return spring 48. The arrangement is such that during the operation of one of the needles, for instance needle 6, solenoid 44 is de-energized whereas for purposes of making needle 7 effective, solenoid 44 is energized and attracts armature 45. During the working period of needle 7 solenoid 44 remains in energized condition. lt is only when needle 6 is again made effect-ive that solenoid 44 is de-energized.

It is, of course, to be understood that solenoid 44 may be replaced by other lifting means, as for instances two-way magnets, compressed air or hydraulically operable cylinders, or known mechanical devices. When pullrod 46 is attracted by solenoid 44, a lever 49 connected to control shaft 27 is moved upwardly in the direction of the arrow 50. In case a plurality of ernbroidering heads are supposed to be actuated simultaneously, the control may be effected through the intervention of a lever 51 operatively connected to control shaft 27 and a pullrod 52.

In a manner known per se a looper or gripper 55 of standard design is provided in the embroidering machine according to the present invention. Looper 55 which in FIG. 2 is indicated by dot-dash lines and designated with the reference numeral 55 is located below a needle plate 59.

Operation The operation of the machine according to the present invention is as follows. With regard to FIG. 2, if it is intended to make the needle bar 2 and the presser bar 30 associated therewith ineffective and to make the needle bar 1 with its presser bar 31 effective, the following steps have to be taken. Solenoid 44 is energized and attracts lever 49 through the intervention of its armature 45 and pullrod 46 against the thrust of spring 48 and pulls lever 49 upwardly in the direction of the arrow 50. Consequently, control shaft 27, lever 26 for the crank disc and control lever 28 for the presser bars are moved in clockwise direction with regard to FIG. 2 by a certain angle. Due to the angular movement of lever 26, lever of the rolling key 21 is freed so that spring 23 may turn lever 25 and thereby rolling key 21 in the manner described above. In this way crank disc 9 is coupled with gear 19 at a certain point and is rotated. Crank pin 11 then reciprocates needle bar 1 which was stationary up to now through the intervention of connecting rod 13 and pivot 53 in a manner known per se.

Due to the fact that lever 26 has, in view of its rotation in clockwise direction, been moved into the path of actuating lever 24, the latter engages lever 26 whereby 4- rolling key 2f) has been rotated from its effective position into its uncoupled position so that extension 61 of gear 1S may pass by rolling key 20 and not engage the same. In this way, crank disc 8 with crank pin 10 and thereby also needle bar 2 come to a standstill.

With regard to the position of pins 10 and 11 it may be mentioned that crank discs 8 and 9 carrying pins 10 and 11 are Xedly connected to shafts 62 and 63 respectively while also the rolling key clutches 14 and 15 are in fixed driving relationship with these shafts. In this way crank pins 10 and 11 remain always in the saine ineffective position after the respective key clutch has been disengaged. In view of the timing of the start of the above described switching from one needle to the other needle through the intervention of solenoid 44, care has been taken that under no circumstances a collision of the two needle bars 1 and 2 or of the needles 6 and 7 may occur.

It will easily be understood that simultaneously with the needle bar also the respective presser bar 30 or 31 has to be made effective or ineffective. In view of the rotation of control shaft 27, control lever 28 with roller 29 is tilted in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 and thereby frees a lever arm 31a of presser 'bar 31. As a result thereof, the tension spring 41 moves the presser bar 31 in the direction of the arrow 56 into its working position until abutment 43 rests against needle bar 1. Subsequently, roller 29 passes a lever arm 30a of presser bar 30 in downward direction against the thrust of a spring 40 when needle bar 2 is lifted and thus tilts the presser bar 30 in the direction of the arrow 57 out of the working range of presser bar 31 now being effective.

It will be evident from the above that the two needles of the embroidering machine according to the present invention are used alternately so that that needle which is at rest at a particular time may be prepared for a subsequent embroidering operation while the other needle is at work. In this way it is possible to thread a yarn of different color into the non-operative needle.

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the particular arrangements shown in the drawings but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Thus, while in the foregoing specification reference is made to an embroidering machine, it is further to be understood that the same machine may also be used for sewing. The inclined arrangement -of the two needle bars is particularly favorable for use in connection with embroidering machines for multi-colored embroidering patterns.

While the machine described above and shown in the drawings is equipped with rolling key clutches, it will be understood that also other suitable clutches, as for instance grip roller clutches or jaw clutches, may be employed.

It will be understood that suitable control means can be provided to prevent one needle from striking the other if this should prove necessary.

It will be understood that the present invention is susceptible of modification to adapt it to different usages and conditions, it is accordingly understood that it is desired to comprehend any such modifications falling within the purview of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. In an embroidering machine or the like; a machine frame, a needle plate ou the frame on which fabric rests while being stitched, first and second needle support means reciprocably mounted in the frame and adapted for receiving needles for stitching fabric resting on said needle plate, guide means in the frame guiding said first and second support means for reciprocation at an angle to each other, the axes of reciprocation of said first and second support means and the needles carried thereby including an angle therebetween the apex of which is substantially in the plane of the upper side of said needle plate so the lines of stitching in the fabric of the two needles are in substantially exact alignment, and drive means adapted for selective connection to said first and second needle support means for driving said first and second support means one at a time.

2. In an embroidering machine or the like; a machine frame, a needle plate on the frame on which fabric rests while being stitched and which plate has a needle hole through Which the needle of the machine passes when stitching, first and second needle support means reciprocably mounted in the frame and operable when actuated to cause needles carried thereby to apply stitching to fabric resting on said needle plate, said first and second support means being so angularly related to each other in the frame as to cause their longitudinal axes to converge toward said needle plate and form an angle having an apex substantially in the plane of the upper side of said needle plate, means for actuating said needle support means one at a time, and means in the frame guiding said needle support means in their reciprocating movement in the frame, the angular relation of said support means being such that the line of stitching of the needle in one of said support means is in substantially exact alignment in the fabric being stitched thereby with the line of stitching in the fabric of the needle in the other of said support means, while both said needles pass through said needle hole.

3. In an embroidering machine or the like; a machine frame, a needle plate on the frame on which fabric rests while being stitched, first and second needle support mens reciprocably mounted in the frame and adapted for receiving needles for stitching fabric resting on said needle plate, guide means in the frame guiding said first and second support means for reciprocation at an angle to each other, the axes of reciprocation of said first and second support means and the needles carried thereby including an angle therebetween the apex of which is substantially in the place of the upper side of said needle plate so the lines of stitching in the fabric of the two needles are in substantially exact alignment, drive means adapted for selective connection to said first and second needle support means for driving said first and second support means one at a time, a clutch operatively disposed between each needle support means and said drive means, each clutch having a control element which effects engagement of the pertaining clutch when released and which effects disengagement of the pertaining clutch when engaged, and control means moveable into position to engage either one only of said control elements while releasing the other thereof.

4. An embroidering machine according to claim 3 in which said control elements are in the form of levers which rotate with the pertaining clutches when released and which halt when engaged and said control means comprises an abutment for selective engagement with said levers, an arm carrying the abutment at one end of the arm, a shaft in the frame connected to the other end of the arm, and means for tilting the shaft in the frame to position the abutment to engage either one only of said levers.

5. An embroidering machine according to claim 4 in which an actuating lever is provided connected to said shaft, a solenoid having an armature, and means connecting the armature with said actuating lever for tilting the shaft in conformity with the energization and deenergization of said solenoid.

6. In an embroidering machine or the like; a machine frame, a needle plate on the frame on which fabric rests while being stitched, first and second needle support means reciprocably mounted in the frame and adapted for receiving needles for stitching fabric resting on said needle plate, guide means in the frame guiding said first and second support means for reciprocation at an angle to each other, the axes of reciprocation of said first and second support means and the needles carried thereby convering toward said needle plate and intersecting in a point so located that the lines of stitching in the fabric of the two needles are in substantially exact alignment, and drive means adapted for connection to said first and second needle support means for driving said first and second support means one at a time, a presser bar for each needle support means reciprocably mounted in the frame and yieldably connected to the pertaining needle support means for movement toward and away from the needle plate in unison therewith, each presser bar being biased toward the pertaining needle support means and being swingable away from the said needle support means, a clutch operatively disposed between each said needle support means and said drive means, a control element for each clutch operable when engaged to effect release of the clutch with the pertaining needle support means in retracted position and when released to effect engagement of the clutch, -control means moveable to engage either one only of said control elements While releasing the other thereof, and means operatively connected to said control means and operable upon movement of said control means into position to engage the control element pertaining to one of said clutches to engage the presser bar for the needle support pertaining to said one clutch and swing the said presser bar away from said needle support and thereby expose the needle therein.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,234,398 7/1917 Schwarzmann 112--98 1,714,928 5/1929 Sigoda 112-198 2,369,183 2/1945 Sigoda lf2-98 2,533,292 12/1950 Sigoda 112-98 2,637,290 5/1953 Sigoda 112-98 3,056,364 10/1962 Dedmon 112-221 X PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner.

A. GUEST, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN AN EMBROIDERING MACHINE OR THE LIKE; A MACHINE FRAME, A NEEDLE PLATE ON THE FRAME ON WHICH FABRIC RESTS WHILE BEING STITCHED, FIRST AND SECOND NEEDLE SUPPORT MEANS RECIPROCABLY MOUNTED IN THE FRAME AND ADAPTED FOR RECEIVING NEEDLES FOR STITCHING FABRIC RESTING ON SAID NEEDLE PLATE, GUIDE MEANS IN THE FRAME GUIDING SAID FIRST AND SECOND SUPPORT MEANS FOR RECIPROCATION AT AN ANGLE TO EACH OTHER, THE AXES OF RECIPROCATION OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND SUPPORT MEANS AND THE NEEDLES CARRIED THEREBY INCLUDING AN ANGLE THEREBETWEEN THE APEX OF WHICH IS 